Multiphysics Coupling Modeling and Simulation of Electrostatic Sensors for Gas Path Monitoring

Aeroengine is a vital component of the aircraft, and its health monitoring is considered a critical aspect. Electrostatic (ES) sensors provide a feasible manner to assess the online health monitoring (OHM) of aeroengines by real-time evaluating exhaust emissions. Effective performance prediction of ES sensors is desired in the research and development of ES sensors for OHM systems. Various theoretical and numerical studies have been carried out to model and analyze the ES sensing process. However, the existing models are oversimplified for practical circumstances. There is a crucial need for an advanced model that can predict the performance of the ES sensors under realistic conditions, which is not yet available. To this end, an effort is presented to model and evaluate the performance of the ES sensors. The physical processes involved in ES sensing are analyzed, and the underlying interactions among different physical processes are investigated. Afterward, an advanced multiphysics coupling model is established, reflecting the practical phenomena that have profound effects on ES sensing, including the random release of the particles, temperature-dependent particle charge, nonuniformity of particle trajectories caused by high-speed exhaust gas, and complicated gas path geometry. By reasonably predicting the response of an ES sensor under practical conditions, the proposed model provides a feasible manner to obtain a comprehensive understanding of how design parameters, inherent parameters of particles, and application conditions influence the performance of the ES sensor. Thereby, the developed advanced model facilitates the processes of research and development in the field of sensors.